"Following up on his great debut single ‘National Park’ from last year, Nor… Read Full Bio ↴"Following up on his great debut single ‘National Park’ from last year, Norway’s House By The Lake aka Sondre Strandskog Arnesen release a second single next week. Titled ‘Dark Horse’ it is another excellent shot of his Fleet Foxes-tinged alt-folk, which will hopefully soon be found on a full length album near me." -AllScandinavian.com

"House by the Lake" is a hidden pearl among the many indie folk acts nowadays. Behind the artist name, stands singer songwriter Sondre Strandskog Arnesen, who with this delivers a lovely acoustic folk-pop track. It sounds like if Fleet Foxes and The Hollies had a baby. Full of yearning vocals and beautiful harmonies, this track is worth having a listen to." - The 405

Dark Horse
House by the Lake Lyrics

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Old brother, I'm gonna let you down
Everybody's talking 'bout the things you've done
when you ride
When you ride on your dark horse
Through the night
Shots strings out over the town
Found by a silence in some beneath the ground
Sirens sing the old familiar song.

You've heard too many times before "someone's on their own"
There's more to you than meets the eye
Deep beneath the surface, covering alive

Old brother, I'm gonna let you down
Everybody's talking 'bout the things you've done
when you ride
When you ride on your dark horse
Through the night.
It's gonna get you in the end,
You can not remote time
when things are your only friend
The pale wind is coming, calling in
Bringing days of misery, fill you to the brim
Oh sister, I can hardly stand up straight
There's too much confusion, enough here
It's too late.
Old brother, I'm gonna let you down
Everybody's talking 'bout the things you've done
when you ride.
When you ride on your dark horse
Through the night.
Uh
Uh

Old brother, I'm gonna let you down
Everybody's talking 'bout the things you've done
when you ride.
When you ride on your dark horse
Through the night.
Brother it ain't easy now, standing up to you
Everybody's talking 'bout the things you do
When you ride,
when you ride on your dark horse
Into the night

When you ride on your dark horse
Into the night

Overall Meaning

The song "Dark Horse" by House by the Lake is a haunting ballad about a troubled and mysterious individual who rides his "dark horse" through town at night. The singer, who refers to the individual as "old brother," admits that he will eventually let him down, suggesting that he is either unable or unwilling to help the troubled soul.

As the song progresses, the lyrics reveal that the individual has a dark past and a tendency to use violence. Shots ring out over the town when he is around, and sirens are a familiar sound. The singer implies that the individual is a loner who has few friends, and is haunted by his past actions. Yet, there is a suggestion that there is more to him than meets the eye, and that he is concealing something deep beneath the surface.

The lyrics convey a sense of unease and impending danger, as the singer warns that the "pale wind" is coming and will bring "days of misery." The repeated line "when you ride on your dark horse through the night" adds to the ominous atmosphere, suggesting that the individual is both a metaphorical and literal dark presence.

Overall, "Dark Horse" is a thought-provoking song that paints a vivid picture of a troubled soul who will inevitably meet his downfall. The lyrics suggest that attempts to help him may be futile, and that he is ultimately responsible for his own fate.

Line by Line Meaning

Old brother, I'm gonna let you down
I know I'll disappoint you

Everybody's talking 'bout the things you've done
People are gossiping about your past actions

when you ride
When you're on the move

When you ride on your dark horse
When you continue on your path, despite its negative aspects

Through the night.
During a difficult time

Shots strings out over the town
Gunshots echo in the city

Found by a silence in some beneath the ground
Dead bodies have been buried in unmarked graves

Sirens sing the old familiar song.
Police and ambulance sirens blare on the street

You've heard too many times before 'someone's on their own'
News of someone in trouble is not new to you

There's more to you than meets the eye
You're not exactly who you appear to be

Deep beneath the surface, covering alive
There's a hidden truth within you